Shoulder brace, chest, and lung expander



June 8 1926. 1,587,716 l.. A. FRrrscH SHOULDER BRACE, CHEST, AND LUNG EXPANDER Fired Nov. 14, 1925 2 sheets-sheet 1 flumet; o

June 8,1926. 1,587,716

L. A. FRITSCH SHOULDER BRACE, CHEST', AND LUNG EXPANDER 'Filed'Now 14,. 1925 2 sheets-sheet 2 nvcmtoz @Mor/nm; o

latented Llune l, F3126.

Lnwrs A. rnrrscrr, or crnornnnmr, oni-1ro.

SHGULDER 13B-ACE, CHEST, AND LU'N'G- EXPANDER.

,Application 1ed-Ncvember 14, 1925.

'ihe device formingl the subject matter of this application isV ashoulder brace and chest and lung expander, combined, and `one object ot' the invention is so to construct the article that it may be taken ott the body and folded into a small parcel, adapted to be placed inthe pocket of a garment, it being` possible for the store-keeper or shipper to stow away a large number ot the devices, in small space.

Another object of the invention is so to construct the article that the fitter may place the stays directly on the shoulder' blades, the stays pressing inwardly and tending;` to straighten round shoulders without cutting' under the arms.

further object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described which may be washed or launderec readily.

rlhe invention aims so to construct the article that but two stays will do the work, thereby dispensing` with a large number of stays.

Another object of the invention is to construct the article in such a way that it may be adapted readily for narrow or broad shoulders.

.lt is within the province ot the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the inif'ention appertains.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of part-s and in the details oi construction hereinafter described an-d claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention he 1ein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing` from the spirit of the invention.

Figure l shows in rear elevation, a device constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a section taken about on the line 2 2 oi Figure 1'; Figure 3 is a view wherein the device appears in perspective, as seen from the iront;V Figure 4 a section taken about on the line 4-4 Figure 1.

The device forming the subject- `matter of this application comprises a flexible back piece l supplied at its ends with guides 2 in the form of eyes. Flexible shoulder loops 3 are supplied, the rear portions 4 of the Serial No. 69,147.

shoulder loops 3 being crossedupon each other, as at 5, and being?,- connected, at their point of crossing, by apivot element, such asa two part rivet 6. The lower extremities oit' the rear portions 4 or' the shoulder loops 3 are connected at '7, by stitching or otherwise,v with the back piece 1, at' points between the guides Q. rlhe forward'portions 8 ot the shoulder loops Bare extendedrearward-ly, as at 9, through the. guides 2, to slide thereim the rearwardly extended portions 9 of the loops being prolonged laterally in opposite directions, as at 10, vfrom the guides 2, to fashion a body-encircling belt 'h 11, oit which the back piece 1 forms part. Any suitable means, such as a buckle 12, or its equivalent, may be provided for adjustably connecting together the ends of the belt 1l at the front of the device. A means is provided for adjustably connecting together the rear portions 4 ci' the shoulder loops B, above the place where the'said rear portions ot' the shoulder loops are connected by the element 6. Having this consideration in mind, transverse straps 14 are joined'at their outer ends to the parts r4 of the shoulder loops 3, the inner ends of the straps 14 being united by a buckle 15 or otherwise, the construction at thisy point being suoli that the device is adapted to broad shouldered persons, and to persons having narrow shoulders. Pads 16 are mount-ed on the forward portions 8 or the shoulder loops 3, and prevent those parts ot the loopsv from annoying the wearer.

Stays 17, preferably made of steel or other resilient material, are mounted in the rear portions 4 ot the shoulder loops 3 and are held against longitudinal movement therein, the rivet 6 passing through the stays 17 at their point Vof crossing, the construction being such that the stays 17, with the corresponding parts 4, may be adjusted later-Y ally, so as to bring Vthe stays into proper position with respect to the shoulder blades of the wearer. rlChe stays 17 extend downwardly to and upon the back piece 1, and extend upwardly to the adjustino straps 14.

in JV It will be obvious that when the occasion for the use ot the device has passed, the rear portions 4 of the loops 3, and the stays 17,

Owing to the collapsible or accordion effect obtained by the use of the rivet or pivot element 6, several persons of different sizes may be fitted with one size of brace or expander. Thus, one article may be used by different members of one family, the article being passed from one member to another, as a cure is effected. A single article only, thus, may be purchased, saving the expense of buying two or more. Furthermore, a dealer can carry a comparatively small number of the article in stock, and, nevertheless, be able to .fit a large number of customers.

I."Vhat is claimed is In a device of the class described, a back piece provided with guides, shoulder loops having their rear portions crossed upon each other and connected to the back piece, flexible stays in the rear portions of the shoulder loops, a pivot element connecting the stays and the shoulder loops at their point of crossing, the forward portions of the shoulder loops being extended rearwardly through the guides, to slide therein, said rearwardly extended portions of the loops being prolonged laterally in opposite directions, from the guides, to fashion a bodyencircling belt, of which the back piece forms a. part, means for adjustably connecting together the ends of the belt, and means for adjustably connecting together the rear portions of the shoulder loops at points near to the upper ends of the stays.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature.

LEWIS A. FRITSCH. 

